Middleton School Board to review Farmington’s proposal

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Joann Coskietjcoskie@tjc.com

MIDDLETON — Thank you to the over 850 Middleton residents who voted. Even if we can’t all agree, we all have the privilege and responsibility of making those choices. The Middleton results are posted at the Municipal building and Town Hall. You’ve heard enough politics, haven’t you? I’ll leave the recap to other sources and go on to different topics.

The Middleton School Board met last Wednesday, Nov. 7 and fielded questions from residents regarding the latest developments in the Area Agreement meetings. Too late for this edition, but posted in multiple places, Nov. 14 is scheduled to be a regular Board meeting. It was emphasized that at the Municipal office, residents can read a copy of RSA 195 (Area Agreements) as well as find it online. It is my understanding that a copy of the Farmington proposal can be obtained from the SAU 61 office, 60 Charles St., Farmington, and you can find it on the SAU 61 website, embedded in the draft minutes of the Oct. 18 meeting.

On Thursday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. the School Board will meet for a workshop, presumably to review the Farmington Board’s proposal and other issues related to where our students will be schooled. All Area Agreement meetings are currently suspended; pending decisions by Middleton and the work of both towns’ Budget Committees being for now a more pressing priority. Residents should mark Dec. 20 on their calendars in red. This is to be a Middleton School Board meeting to solicit community response and feedback on the Area Agreement issues.

The Middleton Budget and Advisory Board meets on Monday, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Their work is crucial to how our town will endure these times. We’ve seen how the Federal government can’t balance a budget — they could take lessons from our Board for guiding Middleton to fiscal responsibility.

The Venture Crew, with guidance from Sue Dooley, continues to be an asset to our community and a credit to all young people. Recently, Venture Crew 55, coordinating with Rochester Crews, Troops and Cub Scouts gathered food for Gerry’s Pantry and the Rochester Soup Kitchen. If you are or know of a teen interested in ‘adventuring’ join them at 6:30 at the Farmington High School cafeteria on any 1st or 3rd Wednesday.

Another ‘mark in red’ date is the Fire Department’s Annual Turkey Raffle, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17. Come meet some members of the Venture Crew — they will be there helping out with the event. There will be food boxes and turkeys and the tickets are 3 for 25 cents and win or lose, you’ll be helping out a lot of local families — a real win for everybody!

Still another date to note is Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Recreation Committee invites one and all to a Harvest Dinner. Bring a non-perishable item to be distributed to the elderly and needy and be treated to a great meal. Contact Joe Bailey at (603) 755-3225 if you can help out with arranging this event. People are needed for table setting, serving, and clean-up.

Heartened by the recent albeit short-lived snowfall, the Evergreen Valley Snowmobile Club has been busy working on clearing and marking trails. According to Al Hotchkiss the position of Trail Master is vacant. He held the position until recent surgery sidelined him. If you are a member, you know how great it is to ride through our beautiful scenery. How about stepping up and helping the few dedicated members who work to make those rides possible. And if you aren’t a member, check out evergreenvalley.org.

Don’t forget to wish Marion Stevens a happy birthday — drop a card off at the Municipal office and I’ll personally see that it gets delivered. She will be 101 years old on Nov. 30.